Houston Astros boss discusses potential role for returning star pitcher

Coming into the offseason, the Houston Astros didn’t feel like they needed to make a move to complete their rotation.

They acquired Justin Verlander from the New York Mets at last year’s trade deadline, which kept him in the mix for this season. Young starters Hunter Brown and JP France gained valuable experience, and both were expected to take a leap forward in their second full-time campaigns.

Additionally, Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. were expected to return after the All-Star break, giving them even more options to rely on if needed.

But before getting there, it wasn’t all easy.

Three starters have undergone surgeries that will sideline them for the rest of the season and beyond. Verlander is on injured reserve and they haven’t had any positive news on McCullers’ progress.

It’s still expected to return at some point this year, but it’s unclear when that might happen.

If the former star does manage to return to the major league mound, it appears the Astros general manager already has an idea of ​​what role he’ll play upon his return.

According to Chandler Rome of The AthleticDana Brown said on the team’s pregame radio show that McCullers could contribute “out of our bullpen in September,” signaling that his second opinion went well enough not to block him again. The timetable for the 30-year-old isn’t set in stone as the general manager said, “We just have to let it heal and we can’t push it” when discussing when the right-hander could return.

Many fans are probably starting to grow a little tired of the McCullers saga, but if he returns healthy, there’s no denying the talent he has and the impact he could have on this group.

McCullers returned late in 2022, making just eight starts before making three in the playoffs to help Houston win its second World Series title.

Any addition to their pitching staff at this point would be a major boost for Houston, and it appears they’ll get it when the former All-Star returns to the mix.